Specification Level 4 Certificate in Vocational Graded Examination in Dance: Advanced 1 (Modern) Level 4 Diploma in Vocational Graded Examination in Dance: Advanced 2 (Modern) Level 4: Modern (Qualifications regulated in England and Wales) This Specification is valid from 1 August 2016 to 1 August 2019 (or until further notice) 1
bbodance is the new name for the British Ballet Organization which was set up in 1930 to improve standards of dance teaching. Our mission is to inspire excellence and promote the education, training and enjoyment of dance. We are an inclusive, innovative and dynamic organisation which supports its members through a lifelong partnership. bbodance is accredited by the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET) and offers examinations in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern which are regulated by Ofqual and Qualifications Wales. These examinations are delivered both nationally and internationally. In addition to regulated qualifications, bbodance offers Performance Awards and Freestyle Dance Awards for candidates who do not wish to take formal examinations. Information on all qualifications and awards can be found on our website (www.bbo.dance). This Specification sets out the aims, objectives, assessment criteria and content for the named qualification/s. The document contains a summary of the examined dance content: a more detailed syllabus can be found on the website and downloaded for fuller reference. bbodance is a trading name for The British Ballet Organization Ltd., a Charity registered in England (No. 277177) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 1402656). 2
Regulated Qualifications (RQF 2016) bbodance Qualifications at a Glance Examination Genre/s Award/Level Grade 1 Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz; Musical Theatre Level 1 Award Grade 2 Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz Level 1 Award Grade 3 Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz Level 1 Award Grade 4 Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz Level 2 Award Grade 5 Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz Level 2 Award Grade 6 Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz Level 3 Certificate Grade 7 Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz Level 3 Certificate Grade 8 Ballet; Tap; Modern Level 3 Certificate Intermediate Foundation Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz Level 2 Certificate Intermediate Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz Level 3 Certificate Advanced 1 Ballet; Tap; Modern; Jazz Level 4 Certificate Advanced 2 Ballet; Tap; Modern Level 4 Certificate L4 Diploma in Dance Teaching L5 Diploma in Dance Teaching L6 Diploma in Dance Teaching L6 Extended Diploma in Dance Teaching Student s own choice Student s own choice Student s own choice Student s own choice Level 4 Diploma Level 5 Diploma Level 6 Diploma Level 6 Extended Diploma available from September 2016 3
Contents Qualifications at a glance 3 1. Summary, objectives, aims and philosophy 5 2. Learning outcomes and assessment criteria 7 3. Syllabus content 10 4. Duration of Examinations 12 5. How marks are awarded 13 6. Marks and achievement descriptors 14 7. Total Qualification Time 16 4
1) Summary, objectives, aims and philosophy a) Summary i) Vocational Grades Advanced1 and Advanced 2 in Modern dance are aligned with Level 4 of the RQF. These examinations are offered in a range of genres and are available to any candidate, with or without previous dance experience. ii) Candidates may choose to do one or more examinations at Level 4. The content of Vocational Grades Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 is conceived as a linear progression and candidates are advised to follow the numerical order. b) Objectives i) To provide access to nationally recognised examinations in dance which, at the higher level, are accepted by the industry as benchmarks of achievement and taken into account by universities and other Higher Education (HE) institutions offering degree courses and programmes in dance and dance teacher education. ii) To provide a vocational training for aspiring dance students for entry to a career in dance and/or progression to further study at Level 5 iii) To contribute to the development of a wide range of competencies and life skills, such as motor control, health and safety awareness, self-expression, physical fitness and stamina, discipline, mental ability and confidence. c) Aims i) The aims of Level 4 Vocational Graded Examinations in Dance (Modern) are to: promote the vocational study of Modern dance in preparation for a professional career provide a means of measuring the acquisition of technical, musical and dance performance skills at an elite/professional level promote and encourage dance as a theatre art provide all candidates with an opportunity of experiencing dance accompanied by live or recorded music encourage personal self-confidence in dance performance encourage creative artistry in the unique relationship between dance and music provide vocational training which reflect the principles of safe dance practice provide teachers with a means by which to develop and monitor the individual progress of vocational students and candidates reward achievement and motivate career aspirations 5
d) Fitness for purpose i) A qualification will only be fit for purpose if it secures the requirements of Validity Reliability Comparability Manageability Minimising bias ii) bbodance aims to meet these requirements through a rigorous internal Quality Assurance Framework which includes: identifying and mitigating conflicts of interest in the delivery of dance examinations Adopting policies and procedures which encourage access to examinations, minimise or remove barriers, and treat all candidates without bias. providing initial examiner training which includes seminars, shadowing existing examiners and a mentoring support scheme Providing on-going training for examiners and monitoring their work through annual seminars, moderation exercises, standardisation and performance reviews Undertaking regular reviews of syllabus content, examination procedures and marking methodologies in order to meet regulatory requirements and the needs of examination users Undertaking statistical analysis of marks and adjustment where appropriate Monitoring the use of Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations procedures and sharing best practice with other dance Awarding Organisations Maintaining an appropriately skilled, competent and dedicated team of staff to design, deliver and quality assure dance examinations e) Entry Criteria i) No previous dance qualifications are necessary in order to enter for Vocational Graded Examinations. ii) Candidates for Advanced 2 should have knowledge, understanding and skills equivalent to Advanced 1. 6
2) Learning Outcomes, and Assessment Criteria a) The learning outcomes and assessment criteria for Vocational Grades Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 are given below. i) Learning outcomes describe in broad terms what a candidate should know, understand or be able to demonstrate during the examination. Each bbodance examination is underpinned by a set of learning outcomes which are appropriate for the level of the award. ii) Assessment criteria specify the standard a candidate is expected to meet in order to demonstrate that the learning outcomes have been achieved. Each bbodance examination is marked according to a series of assessment criteria which reflect the level of the award. b) Level 4 Descriptor i) Candidates have demonstrated breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding in a selected dance genre. They have performed with mastery of the technique combined with an inherent expressive quality which is the mark of a professional dancer. Their physical stamina, strength and control has been maintained throughout the complex movement material: they are able to perform at speed and at a sustained, lyrical pace. Candidates at this level have demonstrated artistic versatility in engaging with a variety of performance styles from the past and present dance repertoire. c) Vocational Grade Advanced 1 Examination (Modern) Learning Outcomes The learner will: Assessment criteria The learner can: perform an extensive range of dance vocabulary with technical precision and command perform across diverse artistic styles from past and current repertoire sustain a high level of performance throughout the examination consolidate their understanding of the relationship between music and dance develop individual expressive qualities and artistic integrity demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge in a selected dance genre undertake significant independent study to enhance their own progress integrate theoretical and practical learning in their performance perform to a range of musical tempos and rhythms with sustained focus demonstrate individuality and audience awareness in dance performance 7
demonstrate some qualities which are at or near the level of a professional dancer d) Vocational Grade Advance 2 Examination (Modern) Learning Outcomes The learner will: Assessment criteria The learner can: perform an extensive range of dance vocabulary with technical precision and command perform across diverse artistic styles from past and current repertoire sustain a high level of performance throughout the examination consolidate their understanding of the relationship between music and dance develop individual expressive qualities and artistic integrity demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge in a selected dance genre undertake significant independent study to enhance their own progress integrate theoretical and practical learning in their performance perform with musicality and appropriate dynamics perform complex dance rhythms demonstrate individuality and artistic integrity in dance performance perform consistently at or near the level of a professional dancer e) In the examination candidates will be assessed on their ability to i) Perform a series of prepared dance exercises with an advanced level of technical proficiency in relation to posture, weight placement, co-ordination of the whole body, control, line, spatial awareness and dynamic values ii) Dance, throughout the examination, with musicality and some original interpretation of music content iii) Dance with individual expression and performance quality, sustained throughout the examination. iv) Perform a complex and demanding set dance/s or enchaînement/ which requires the integration of all the above aspects of technique, music and performance at an advanced level. 8
f) For Level 4 qualifications, candidates are expected to demonstrate an advanced knowledge of dance vocabulary, to sustain control of the body during complex movements, and to dance safely within their physical capacity. g) Candidates are required to communicate a confident and mature performance. Musicality is evident throughout the performance and there is a clear understanding of artistic integrity 9
3) Syllabus content a) General i) Vocational Grades Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 (Modern) are regulated qualifications in England and Wales. ii) Detailed descriptions of the set work for each examination are published online and available for download free of charge. iii) The examination content for Vocational Grades Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 in Modern s the same for male and female candidates. bbodance upholds the rights of candidates to be examined in their preferred gender identity. b) Vocational graded examinations i) Candidates will be examined through the performance of the prescribed examination content. All Barre, Floor and Centre work should be prepared, and dances chosen from the options available for the Vocational Grade, as shown in the following tables. c) Vocational Grade Advanced 1 Content (Modern) Barre and Floor Work Concentrated Warm Ups 1. Warm Up No 1 2. Warm Up No 2 3. Warm Up No 3 4. Warm Up No 4 Floor Exercises 5. Floor Exercise No 1 6. Floor Exercise No 2 7. Floor Exercise No 3 Centre Work 8, Centre Exercise No 1 9. Centre Exercise No 2 10. Centre Exercise No 3 11. Centre Exercise No 4 Amalgamations 12. Amalgamation No 1 13. Amalgamation No 2 14. Amalgamation No 3 15. Amalgamation No 4 10
Centre Work Warm Down 16. Warm Down Dance 17. Dance 64 Bars d) Vocational Grade Advanced 2 Content (Modern) Barre and Floor Work Concentrated Warm Ups 1. Warm Up No 1 2. Warm Up No 2 3. Warm Up No 3 Floor Exercises 5. Turn Exercise No 1 6. Turn Exercise No 2 7. Turn and Leap Exercise 8. Leap Exercise Centre Work 9. Routine No 1 10. Routine No 2 11. Routine No 3 Dance 17. Dance maximum 2 minutes Warm Down 18. Warm Down 11
4) Duration of Examinations a) The timing for Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 examinations in Modern is shown in the following table: Advanced 1 and 2 Number of Candidates Timing (in minutes) 1 40 minutes 2 40 minutes 3 50 minutes 4 50 minutes 12
5) How marks are awarded a) Overview of the mark scheme i) The learning outcomes and assessment criteria detailed in Section 2 above are differentiated across the examination via three related assessment areas Technique, Musicality and Performance ii) Technique, Musicality and Performance are assessed using a mark scheme which comprises a total of 100 marks, applied to the various elements as shown in the box below. b) Vocational Grades Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 (Modern) Mark Scheme Examination Content Marks Technique Posture and Alignment 10 Footwork 10 Turnout/parallel 10 Co-ordination 10 Turns 10 Elevation 10 Theory/Knowledge 10 Musicality Musical Phrasing 10 Mastery Mastery 10 Performance Performance Quality 10 13
6) Marks and Achievement Descriptors a) Mark Descriptors Mark Descriptor 0 The candidate did not attend the examination or did not show the work required 1 Indicates an extremely limited ability to achieve 2 Indicates a very limited ability to achieve 3 Indicates a limited ability to achieve 4 Indicates an acceptable ability to achieve 5 Indicates a good ability to achieve 6 Indicates a very good ability to achieve 7 Indicates an excellent ability to achieve 8-10 Indicates an outstanding ability to achieve b) Achievement Categories Category of Achievement Overall Mark Standard Not Yet Achieved 0 39 (SNYA) Pass (P) 40 54 Merit (M) 55 69 Distinction (D) 70-100 c) Achievement Descriptors i) Distinction Excellent in most aspects of technique with consistency across all aspects of the examined content. The quality of performance and musicality is also well developed with demonstration of a range of dynamics. At the upper end of the mark range for Distinction, the candidate demonstrates an outstanding or exceptional overall achievement. 14
ii) Merit iii) Pass Good in most aspects of technique with some very good areas of ability. Some aspects of performance quality and musicality are well developed but may lack consistency. At the upper end of the mark range for Merit is work which is very good overall. Acceptable or adequate in the control of technique with some inconsistency across the full range of examined work. Some musical awareness and sense of performance is demonstrated but not fully developed. Some areas of the work examined show limited ability but overall the learning outcomes for the level have been met. iv) Standard Not Yet Achieved Limited technical ability with insufficient strength or control. Musical awareness is not clearly demonstrated and there is a lack of performance style. Whilst there may be some potential ability, the learning outcomes have not been met, further study is required. 15
7) Total Qualification Time (TQT) a) TQT is a measure of the time taken for an average learner to complete a qualification. This figure is for guidance only and does not mean that all learners must undertake a specified number of hours before undertaking examination. b) The TQT for Advanced 1 (Level 4 Certificate) in Modern is 325 hours. This figure comprises 150 Guided Learning Hours and 175 hours of Other Learning. c) The TQT for Advanced 2 (Level 4 Diploma) in Modern is 375 hours. This figure comprises150 Guided Learning Hours and 225 hours of Other Learning. d) Guided Learning is the time set aside for teaching or supervising learners, including weekly lessons, additional coaching and rehearsals. e) Other Learning includes a diverse range of activities which support or extend the learning in class. These activities might include homework tasks such as online research on dance, reading books on dance technique, seeing a live dance performance or viewing a filmed extract online. f) Following consultation with Awarding Organisations, the figures for TQT were approved by the Council for Dance Education and Training (April 2016). 16